History
The National Space Symposium has brought together space leaders from around the world to discuss, address, and dream about the future of space for the last quarter century. The inaugural event took place in 1984 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Broadmoor Hotel has continued to host the National Space Symposium each year. The hotel has grown, in part, to accommodate the event. Original event attendees numbered barely 250 space enthusiasts, while expected participants at the 26th National Space Symposium near the 10,000’s. The symposium has become widely known as the premier U.S. space policy and program forum and the “must attend†opportunity for information and interaction on all sectors of space.
Exclusive networking
The caliber of participants, the extraordinary venue, and the structure of the agenda create the perfect environment for making contacts and getting business done. Our customers tell us their number one reason for coming back to the National Space Symposium is the opportunity to network, meet with customers, and make things happen - all in one place at one time. Click here for a complete list of networking opportunities.
Influential participants
Since the early years, the Symposium’s target audience has consistently represented all sectors of the space community: civil, commercial, and national security. Military space commands, NASA, NOAA, NRO, NGA, and other national security organizations have always been represented well at the Symposium. The event continues to evolve, incorporating in more recent years imaging and Earth observation services representatives, launch providers, satellite manufacturers and operators, space policy experts, space entrepreneurship, finance, congressional and administration officials, and staff. Additionally, the new generation space leadership sect is expected to increase substantially in the coming years.
The National Space Symposium took on an important new dynamic in the late 1980s when it opened its doors to students and their teachers from across the nation. Education has been an increasingly important element of the event ever since, and the educational outreach increases every year.
While the event has always been titled the National Space Symposium, from the early days international representatives have been an integral part of the program agenda, exhibit center, and audience. The international sector continues to grow each year.
Prominent speakers
The symposium has been the stage from which many notable space leaders have addressed the world. Prominent speakers have included the vice president; cabinet officials such as the secretaries of commerce, transportation, and defense; secretaries of the Air Force; directors of the National Reconnaissance Office; commanders of United States Strategic Command, United States Northern Command, and Air Force Space Command; NASA administrators; leading members of Congress; and senior industry executives as well as a host of state officials, astronauts, private space travelers, futurists, media personalities, and leading educators. Click here for a complete list of speakers.
Expansive exhibit center
The Symposium is also known for its expansive exhibit center, which has grown from just one building and a few companies in its first years; to include an expanded temporary structure, in addition to the main building, from 1999-2006; and then today to two permanent buildings with the addition of Broadmoor Hall. This year’s exhibit center is nearly six times larger than it was in 1984 and filled with more than 140 companies and organizations representing the best of the space industry. View the exhibit list.
Annual awards
Each year, the Space Foundation presents a number of prestigious awards during the symposium to mark the phenomenal space-related achievements of both individuals and organizations. Visit the awards page for more information.
Awe-inspiring venue
The Broadmoor Hotel, a five-star, world-renowned resort in beautiful Colorado Springs, features breathtaking mountain views, impeccable service, extraordinary ambiance, and ample room for the National Space Symposium’s broad and varied agenda and events. Visit the venue spotlight page for more information on The Broadmoor Hotel.
Forward-thinking conference
A future-oriented agenda, lively and productive networking discussions, global representation, an expansive exhibit center showcasing the latest in space technology - these components create one of the National Space Symposium’s greatest strengths: an exhilarating, dynamic, and forward-thinking environment. Click here to view the agenda.
Year after year, the National Space Symposium keeps up its reputation as the leading space event of its kind and the must attend event. Come see what’s everyone’s talking about; it’s where your customers are! Don’t miss it! Register now!
